Plymouth Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Plymouth's crime profile in January 2026 reveals a combination of violent and property-related offences, with violence and sexual offences dominating at 47% of all reported crimes. This stark dominance over other categories, such as anti-social behaviour (10.5%) and criminal damage (8.6%), suggests a significant focus on interpersonal and public order issues. The city's overall crime rate of 8.5 per 1,000 residents places it 28.8% above the UK average, a discrepancy that may be influenced by local factors such as population density, economic conditions, or the presence of high-traffic areas. Seasonal context plays a role in this pattern, as January typically sees reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which may contribute to a lower incidence of shoplifting compared to the UK average. However, the elevated rate of violent crime contrasts with this trend, reflecting underlying social tensions or the impact of post-holiday transitions on community dynamics. The data also indicates that anti-social behaviour, while slightly below the UK average, remains a persistent concern in Plymouth, with 0.9 per 1,000 incidents recorded. This suggests that efforts to address public order issues may need to be sustained or expanded. The balance of crime types highlights the need for targeted strategies that address both the immediate concerns of violent crime and the broader social factors that may contribute to its persistence.

January 2026 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with drug-related offences rising by 31.7% compared to the previous month, marking a significant increase. This surge, from 63 to 83 incidents, suggests a potential shift in local dynamics or increased activity in illicit markets. Conversely, bicycle theft dropped by 54.5%, falling from 11 to 5 incidents, which may reflect seasonal factors or improved security measures. The breakdown of crime types reveals a stark contrast to the UK average, with violence and sexual offences at 4.0 per 1,000 in Plymouth—64% higher than the national rate of 2.4 per 1,000. This imbalance highlights the need for targeted interventions in areas where violent crime is concentrated. Meanwhile, shoplifting rates in Plymouth were 9% below the UK average, indicating a possible effectiveness of retail security measures or reduced foot traffic during the post-holiday period.

Plymouth's crime rate in January 2026 rose slightly to 8.5 per 1,000 residents, a 3.5% increase from the previous month's 8.2 per 1,000. This places the city firmly above the UK average, which stood at 6.6 per 1,000. On a daily basis, 75 crimes were reported across Plymouth's 31 days, highlighting the persistent frequency of incidents in the area. When considering the population context, over the course of January, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 117 residents. This monthly exposure rate underscores the need for continued vigilance and community engagement. While the overall rate remains elevated, the distribution of crime types reveals specific areas for attention, such as the significant increase in drug-related offences. These figures, when contextualised against the city's population size and local dynamics, provide a clearer picture of where resources might be most effectively directed.